eLUXURY now has Louis Vuitton’s new Damier Azur line in stock, though I believe more bags are to come (or perhaps have all quickly-quickly sold out?).

Damier Azur is the Damier checkerboard coated canvas pattern, but in créme and pale blue. The bags in stock are two luggage duffles and one organizer wallet (Zippy Organizer, shown)—my favorite of the collection, the French Purse, sold out within days. What a shocker shame!

As usual, don’t trust eBay for these new LVs.

Also new for Louis Vuitton is the third price rise this year. Rises depended on former price points and newness factor of bags, and was about $20 for most styles. The Alma, for one example, went from around $880 I believe, to an even $900. Whoa!

What do you think of this news?

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I just discovered a very narrowly niched and interesting concept blog: the Bag Theft Blog. It’s not about counterfeiting actually at all, but about purse snatching. In addition to copies of useful protection information and theft news, there are tidbits of trends from fashion blogs in the form of latest posts.

Just skim through and you’ll find some valuable information that will make you happy for discovering this blog yourself.

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Coach is suing Target for selling a counterfeit bag, in the recent style of the Hamptons (although it appears to maybe have large “Soho” buckles) Signature Stripe with “python”. The bag has the exact C patterned logo and hangtag.

The suit seeks $1 million, which I don’t believe is enough. Target’s rep claims the store officials did not know the item was fake. Male cow, I say!

I also personally can’t believe it; I liked Target! What now? K-Mart, do you have the morals we seek plus a price we sometimes need?

Read the full story and watch a video at CNN Money .com. *Via* Want Need Have.

*Update:* I just read that with the lawsuit, Coach is also demanding knowledge on where Target’s “Coach” supplies were manufactured. Way to go!

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Think I was excited about viewing the Marc Jacobs show? Well I was. But most Marc Jacobs bags are just a dream to you and me and Spring is far off.

So now with that in perspective you might try to imagine my excitement about the release of Coach’s 65th anniversary line.

Oh, yes! (You must already know I love Coach, though.)

The line brings back vintage styles with more modern shapes, it brings back a little of that ol’ Bonnie Cashin (designer head) kiss-lock. And it keeps new classics, like many bags in the “Legacy” collection that also resemble bags from last Spring. Coach even is introducing smaller details that instantly click with fans, like the color combo of Khaki (brown-toned) Signature with Ebony (YES, BLACK!) leather trim. Brown and black on one bag, Coach, you’ve finally taken one of my suggestions from my telepathic love notes!

One other thing that Coach is introducing is something major: a higher price point. Some bags cost the same, but many more rise above $600. And then—get this, there’s a limited edition Alligator bag for $10,000. Hello Hermès?! Even a genuine ostrich clutch for over $1,000! Oh, my!

Hopefully that will attract some more “catwalk” cred to the brand. Gucci schmucci?

Stay tuned for more products! Preview and shop the Anniversary Legacy accessories by Coach.

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(Note: This post contains a little helpful information on recognizing authentic Louis Vuitton bags.)

The Louis Vuitton Speedy is a great bag. I love LV’s signature layout, it’s simply the finest with the greatest attention to quality and detail. The Speedy bags are made using uncut leather, pretty much one strip, so the back side of them have upside down LVs. I just love this so much, it’s pretty much how I would do things.

But then there’s the material. It just doesn’t hold it’s shape. It slouches no matter what. So however much I like the Speedy, I can’t carry one.

My new favorite is the Louis Vuitton Alma. I always loved it perhaps the most, for its classy, unique shape. It has a leather bottom, and so the rear has upright monogram, but the incomparable aligning and the fact that LVs are never cut off the side measure up to standard.

Anyway, it’s mostly about that sophisticated, classic shape. When I buy a Louis Vuitton, it will be an Alma. (Just a bit too bad the Alma’s a few hundred more dollars than the Speedy, at $880.) You can buy the authorized Alma at eLUXURY. Do you think I should save up, or perhaps research further and go for used and a little discount on eBay? I might even get one at the boutique, I imagine there would be no better feeling when buying a Louis. Yes, in a couple years time, for sure, although I hear LV’s pricing always rises. Well, my professional writing income will probably be raised quite a bit, so I think it will be less cash to me! Most of you, maybe act now on this forever classic bag.

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21680" title="News video">CBS 4 Boston gave news of a web service running to protect individuals from losing stolen property forever. Just Stolen.net holds a database of your current valuables and lost or stolen items. Using descriptions and serial numbers, registered police forces use this tool to cross-reference stolen goods.

It is very important to enter all of your valuables, including handbags, wallets, laptops, iPods, et cetera, now (before any possible incident occurs) with more fully accurate descriptions and serial numbers to better ensure a return.

To add images of your items (also recommended) or to report something lost or stolen, click on “Update existing item(s).”

Also take precautions to prevent theft. Fasten your handbags shut while in public, use extra caution at ATMs (including being aware of who is around you), and be very careful to conceal electronic devices.

Finally, good luck!

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It happens to us all; all of us who love bags, even savvy businesswomen. We forget things while changing from one purse to another.

It happened to Julie of Almost Girl and Coutorture: “I stupidly left my Coutorture business cards in my other purse” (meeting Cathy Horyn).

(With a gorgeous oversized croc clutch!)

Doesn’t that make us feel better? It does, yet slightly worries me. I love having different purses for outfits, occasions, etc. etc., (it’s a part of my motto) but we’re so silly with it as to not have a fool-proof system. (I do keep multiples of my girlie and personal items.) I just don’t want those boys to scoff at us for our purses!

Men have that pants issue (the losing-wallet or keys one), yet they’re not obsessed with pants (not their own). There still must be a way to make men understanding about the bag lust! Ideas?

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I suddenly feel like discussing the longevity, throughout a single year, of straw handbags.

They first pop into style right before Spring begins, and as soon as we see a sign of the season, we rush out to buy a straw bag or start feverishly using a straw bag we already have.

It’s novelty, and this original fever wears off.

But the straw bag trend picks up in the heat of summer. On vacations, at the beach, in country club luncheons and upscale sea food shacks — whatever—the straw bag is again hot.

Then in late August, we use (or hunt for) our straw bags with a passion–like they’re going out of style—because they are.

The straw bag is a novelty, but as I see it, it will come back every year. And a few times every year says “worth it” to me, but I wanted to warn you ladies about the practicality before the breezes turn to scorchers!

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See how nice this Louis Vuitton bag is that Jessica Simpson is carrying? I’ve definitely—and boldly—made it clear how I feel about Marc Jacobs’s design efforts with the brand, but this bag is nice. I do like the pointed leather straps details many bags have—it’s a signature (and they should all have it).

And sure, this is a very expensive version that Jessica Simpson can afford, I get that … but this LV is so much nicer than the ones I see you carrying at the mall. I’m watching you.

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DenverPost Blog House: Reading Janse’s book (The Germ Freak’s Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu : Guerrilla Tactics to Keep Yourself Healthy at Home, at Work and in the World) allowed me to come out of the germ closet with built-in support. Alison, along with co-author Charles Gerba, showed 20/20 how dirty bathrooms really are.

Not surprisingly, the floors were by far the dirtiest, with 200 million bacteria per square inch. This is 200 times higher than a sanitary surface.

Well, if you’ve ever had to put your purse or bags on the floor it affects you. The dynamic germ duo found fecal matter on the bottom of a woman’s purse. Makes you think twice before you lay your purse on the kitchen table, doesn’t it?

Many people don’t wash their hands, either. I witnessed this last week, at school. (After leaving the ladies room, having washed, myself, I used my antibacterial lotion.)

But the purse on the floor thing made this to be my issue. Bathroom floors actually have fecal matter and traces of urine. I won’t go into pondering how they get there.

I’m shocked and appalled when/that people put their handbags on any floor, but the bathroom!!!! I have never done that. I have always only used stalls with a hook on the door. Now I’m afraid to go in at all, touching myself or my things to any surface. I was told that sink counters are infected with bacteria. Now going to the ladies room is a horrifying ordeal, with juggling my coat and large school tote, and getting too wet at the sink.

Oh, the humanity!

And, people, never rest your handbag on the floor! Use a chair or even one of those special hangers!

For chic’s sake!!!

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